</font></u><u><font color="#ff0000" size="4">THE DATA WILL UPDATE THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND SHOW THE UPDATE TIME IN THE HEADER</font><font color="#ff0000" size="4">. </font></u><font size="4">

</font><font size="4"><u>NEWARK STAR LEDGER</u></font>

GIANTS' KENNY PHILLIPS RULED OUT FOR COWBOYS' GAME (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants_safety_kenny_phillips_r.html)

"As expected, the Giants (http://www.nj.com/giants) have
downgraded safety Kenny Phillips from doubtful to out. He didn't travel to Texas
with the team for Sunday's game vs. the Cowboys.

Phillips suffered a sprained knee in this past Sunday's loss to the Packers.
He didn't practice all week and did only light jogging and backpedaling on the
side. His injury was to the medial collateral ligament and there's a chance he
could return on Dec. 18 against the Redskins.</p>

Phillips' absence means the Giants will start Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant
against Dallas. Expect rookie Tyler Sash to play as well. Sash, a special-teams
contributor who has dressed for every game this season, saw some time on defense
in the season opener against the Redskins and against Green Bay when Phillips
left.</p>

"We've been blessed at the safety position, as far as injuries all season,"
Sash said. "Nobody's really gotten hurt until Kenny and it's not something
serious that he's going to be out for a long amount of time."</p>

Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell's ability to call games has been <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants_perry_fewell_continues.html">hampered
by changes in personnel because of injuries</a>. But Sash said his play against
the Packers has him encouraged by his knowledge of the defense.</p>

"It showed the coaches were confident in me, throwing me in there Sunday
night," he said. "I made all the right calls, all the checks and got everybody
lined up so that always helps from the trust aspect."</p>GIANTS FACE COWBOYS WITH HAKEEM NICKS, MARIO MANNINGHAM, AND VICTOR CRUZ ALL HEALTHY (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants_face_cowboys_with_hakee.html)

“So I said, ‘We’ve got the big three back!’ And everybody started laughing,”
the Giants (http://www.nj.com/giants/)’ wide receiver said. “But
it’s always good to have the guys back at full strength and just be able to get
us all clicking on the same page.</p>

“When all three of us are out there, there’s just a different energy in the
huddle.”</p>

Sunday's game <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants-cowboys_game_preview_a.html">against
the Dallas Cowboys</a> will mark only the third time in six games the Giants
have had their “big three” on the field at the same time.</p>

It began with a hamstring issue that knocked Nicks out of the victory over
the New England Patriots. Then, a lingering knee issue for Manningham got worse
and kept him out of the past two games.</p>

But Manningham practiced all three days this week and is listed as probable,
meaning the banged-up Giants are healthy in at least one key area.</p>

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Nicks said. “We know what we’re
capable of doing now that we’ve got the opportunity to do it, to click as a unit
and contribute on all cylinders.”</p>

Manningham, who said last week there were things “floating” in his knee and
that surgery was a possibility, has looked “quick” and “sharp” to coach Tom
Coughlin in practice. Manningham said he has improved because of intense leg
workouts in the weight room.</p>

“I was doing it (earlier in the season), but I wasn’t doing it thinking
something was going to happen a few weeks later. </p>

I was doing it to just get a workout in,” he said. “It helps the swelling and
strengthening.”</p>

Manningham’s presence should help the Giants’ offense as a whole.</p>

Also helping: the return of running back Ahmad Bradshaw, the occasional
clutch grab by Ramses Barden, Jake Ballard’s continued success and even Travis
Beckum’s 67-yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers this past weekend that
included a few nifty cut-backs after the catch.</p>

“I just wanted him to get in the end zone,” Nicks joked. “All that cutting,
he’d better get in there.” Read more...
</p>COWBOYS HOPE TO CONFUSE ELI MANNING ON SUNDAY, SAYS ROB RYAN (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/cowboys_hope_to_confuse_giants.html)

"Few defenses have been able to befuddle Giants (http://www.nj.com/giants/) quarterback Eli Manning this season.
The quarterback is fourth in the NFL in passing yards (3,705), fifth in
touchdowns (23) and sixth in passer rating (96.0), which adds up to arguably the
best season of his eight-year career.

Rob Ryan, the outspoken Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator, told reporters
in Dallas that his defense’s goal is to confuse quarterbacks and “make them play
left-handed.” </p>

And he thinks Dallas is going to be able to do that against Manning on Sunday
night. Exactly how remains a question.</p>

“We’re going to find out Sunday night because we’re going to do it,” Ryan
said.</p>

Whether Ryan will have linebacker and sackmaster DeMarcus
Ware to aid in Manning’s befuddlement is up in the air. </p>

Ware, the NFL’s sack leader with 15, is still dealing with the effects of a
stinger he suffered in the Cowboys’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday
and was limited in practice today."
</p>GIANTS-COWBOYS GAME PREVIEW: A LOOK AHEAD TO SUNDAY'S HUGE NFC EAST BATTLE (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants-cowboys_game_preview_a.html)

"This is going to be a bit redundant if you read Sunday's Giants (http://www.nj.com/giants) gameday package. I did the gameday
this week because Jorge is handling the Sunday story. Be on the lookout for
that, by the way, because it should be a doozy.

Anyway, as I was saying, I wrote a lot about Sunday's game already because
our breakdowns are as comprehensive as they get. Still, I couldn't just skip the
blog preview because I know we need a spot for all of your predictions.</p>

So here goes.</p>

* * * *</p>

SUNDAY'S GAME: at Cowboys, Cowboys Stadium, 8:20 p.m.,
NBC</p>

PLAYERS TO WATCH</p>

Offense: We spent a lot of time the other day breaking down
what David Diehl has meant to the Giants in his return to left
tackle and about <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants_david_diehl_has_boosted.html">his
reunion with his old nemesis</a> in Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware.
And rightfully so, because that should be a good matchup.</p>

But I realized after that story ran we probably overlooked RT Kareem
McKenzie a bit.</p>

You see, Ware doesn't just line up on the right side of the Cowboys' defense
(i.e. the left side of the Giants' line). He bounces all over the place and
often attacks an opponent's right tackle. That would be McKenzie.</p>

Given the way McKenzie struggled last week against Packers LB Clay Matthews
(by my count, he had three pressures and the sack/forced fumble against McKenzie
while also getting around him for a near-safety), one would have to think the
Cowboys would send Ware to that side often on Sunday. Look to see how the Giants
are able - or unable - to block that up.</p>

Defense: In the interest of writing something that won't
overlap with Sunday's breakdown, how about we take a look at what the Giants
worked on in practice after it popped up as a trouble spot against Green
Bay?</p>

It was their Cover-2 defense in the red zone, which was an issue when Packers
WR Donald Driver had an uncontested touchdown after S Antrel
Rolle didn't slide over to help and CB Corey Webster
didn't sink far enough. As I <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants-packers_game_review_muc.html">broke
down in my game review</a>, what the Packers did was run the outside receiver
(Jordy Nelson) on a short in cut. At that point, Webster should've released
Nelson to CB Aaron Ross, who had the short zone near the hash,
and dropped to help with Driver running the corner route behind him. The
communication broke down between Webster and Rolle, who was back deep because
Kenny Phillips had just left with a knee injury.</p>

This week, the Giants worked on those two-receiver combos and on how they
would pass off, or stay with, receivers. Look to see if the Cowboys try to run
the same combo the Packers ran. But also realize Dallas knows the Giants will
adjust, so look for a different wrinkle thrown in there. What might that be?
Well, my guess would be what's called (among other things) a "pivot" or "bounce"
route by the outside receiver. That receiver might start running the in cut and
then pivot or bounce (hence the names of the route) back to the outside.</p>

A route like that, which the Giants often run down near the goal line (think
the <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/10/giants-seahawks_a_look_back_at.html">interception
against the Seahawks</a>) might take advantage of Webster's seeing the in cut
and then dropping to cover the corner route, thus vacating the short zone. Look
for Miles Austin or Laurent Robinson to be the
WRs that run it, too.</p>

Then again, the Giants are probably anticipating such adjustments as well.
It's a chess match, this game of football. And that's why we love it.</p>

THE LINE: Cowboys by 3½. Over-under 49. </p>

ONE MORE THING: Watch out for Cowboys KR Felix
Jones. He had a 69-yarder against the Cardinals and nearly took it the
distance."</p>GIANTS RULE OSI UMENYIORA AND DAVID BAAS OUT FOR SUNDAY'S GAME AGAINST THE COWBOYS (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants_rule_osi_umenyiora_and.html)

Excerpt: "3:41 p.m. UPDATED with the Cowboys' questionably listing five as
questionable.

Giants (http://www.nj.com/giants) defensive end Osi Umenyiora and
center David Baas have been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Cowboys, as
expected, after a week in which they didn't practice.</p>

Umenyiora will miss his second straight game with a high-ankle sprain
suffered against the Saints. Baas will also miss a second game with headaches
that popped up shortly before Sunday's game against the Packers. Tom Coughlin
has yet to give a detailed account of Baas' injury.</p>

Also ruled out were rookie linebackers Mark Herzlich (ankle) and Spencer
Paysinger (hamstring).</p>

Meanwhile, safety Kenny Phillips (knee) is listed as doubtful. <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants_michael_boley_ahmad_bra.html">He
ran on the side today</a> but that's not enough to give him a decent shot to
play on Sunday. Expect him to be downgraded to out on Saturday because he's
unlikely to travel to Texas. Rookie Tyler Sash will probably see increased time
in Phillips' absence, though Sash likely won't start. Deon Grant and Antrel
Rolle will be the top two safeties.</p>

"1:49 p.m. UPDATE There I go talking out of turn again. Boley, Bradshaw
and Jacobs are all listed as probable after working in a limited capacity
today.

Tom Coughlin was expecting Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs back to practice
today. He was correct.</p>

Coughlin was hopeful Michael Boley would be back as well. His wishes were
realized.</p>

All three players are practicing today as the team gets in its final full
workout before Sunday's game against the Cowboys. Don't be surprised if all
three are designated as questionable on the official injury report.</p>

Elsewhere, safety Kenny Phillips (knee) continues to run on the side. He
believed he had a shot to play as of Thursday but it would seem he's more likely
to sit out.</p>

Defensive end Osi Umenyiora (knee/ankle) is still out of action and not
expected to play. Same with center David Baas (head/neck), who wasn't on the
practice field at all.</p>

Wide receiver Mario Manningham (knee) continues to practice and should be
able to play. Same with defensive end Dave Tollefson (knee).</p>

"</font></font>They have lost four straight games in all manner of ways, dropping blowouts
and heartbreakers and falling when game-ending drives have come up short. Their
once-proud defense has been gashed repeatedly. And whenever they are on the
verge of getting healthy, another key player suffers a serious injury.<div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: hidden; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none">

But the Giants refuse to act like a 6-6 team in a tailspin, because somehow,
they control their own destiny. If Big Blue can beat first-place Dallas (7-5) at
what figures to be a raucous Cowboys Stadium on Sunday night, it will once again
sit atop the NFC East and once again be headed toward a playoff berth.</p>

And wideout Victor Cruz (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Victor+Cruz) thinks not
only that it will all happen, but that the Giants will run the table starting
Sunday.</p>

“I think the way we played this past Sunday (against Green Bay), although we
lost, was definitely one of the most exciting ways we’ve played, most
aggressive, we put it all together, on special teams, on defense,” Cruz said. “I
definitely see us winning these last four and getting into the playoffs.”</p>

It’s a rosy outlook for a team that hasn’t won since Nov. 6, but the Giants
still carry significant swagger and determination.</p>

“We still have the opportunity to accomplish our goals,” linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Mathias+Kiwanuka)
said. “Obviously, we’ve let some of them slip. But that’s in the past. We can’t
do anything about that now.”</p>

The Giants believe they can beat the Cowboys, and they draw on that 38-35
loss to the Packers as proof. The result was disheartening, said <a title="Dave Tollefson" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Dave+Tollefson">defensive end Dave
Tollefson</a>, but unlike in the blowout loss in New Orleans a week earlier, the
Giants found strong points in the setback to Green Bay.</p>

Their running game showed signs of awakening, and while the defense struggled
to contain Aaron Rodgers (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Aaron+Rodgers), it
held the Packers to 3.2 yards per carry. Granted, the defensive resurgence came
against one of the worst rushing attacks in the league, but the Giants still
took solace in the effort.</p>

“You gotta take something positive,” said Tollefson. “If you don’t, you’re
just going to be dragging your feet. If you’re always looking at the bad, it’s
going to give you that negative mind-set. You’ve got to stay positive.”</p>

And Kiwanuka has insisted that the Giants haven’t even given a second thought
to their four-game losing streak.</p>

That nasty string is behind them, he says, and the only thing they see in
front of them is a path to the playoffs that goes straight through Arlington,
Tex.</p>

“For us in the locker room, we’re more focused on the fact that our goals are
still attainable,” Kiwanuka said. “We still have the opportunity to win games,
win games in our division, win our division, go into the playoffs and win the
Super Bowl. That’s all we’re focused on.”</p></div><font size="3">DALLAS COWBOY'S OWNER, JERRY JONES, WANTS GIANTS' JUSTIN TUCK TO KNOW THAT $1.2 B STADIUM IS MORE A CASTLE THAN "DUMP" (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/dallas-cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-giants-justin-tuck-1-2-billion-stadium-castle-dump-article-1.989532)

Jones just wants Tuck to get one thing: His $1.2 billion structure in
Arlington is a beautiful and pricey dump. And Jones tried to drive that point
home on Friday, when he spoke about Tuck’s disdain for Dallas during a radio
interview.</p>

“Hopefully, that’s the competitive spirit in him,” Jones said. “I would tell
him this: He’s never been in a more expensive dump in his life.”</p>

Tuck insisted Thursday that he has never called Cowboys Stadium a dump, but
he did refer to the building as “crappy” in 2009.</p>

ANDREWS ON REBOUND
Stacy Andrews (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Stacy+Andrews), who is
on injured reserve after being hospitalized for pulmonary embolisms in his lungs
last Saturday, is taking blood thinner medication but expects to be ready to
play again in six months.</p>

The offensive lineman stopped by the Giants’ locker room, along with brother
Shawn Andrews (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Shawn+Andrews), a
former Giant. Stacy said he battled strange pains around his rib cage for three
days last week.</p>

“At first it was just a little pain up in here, and my backside,” he said. “I
thought I had popped a rib or something like that, and I just brushed it off.
And I just practiced through the pain Friday.”</p>

Andrews even ignored it when he coughed up blood twice that day. But when he
was sitting in meetings on Saturday and still battling pain, he went to see team
trainers, who immediately had him sent to the hospital.</p>

“It could have been bad,” he said. “I’m just thankful that the man upstairs
sent me a pain I could not tolerate.”</p>

LONG-AWAITED RETURN
Jerrel Jernigan (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Jerrel+Jernigan) has
been waiting for a chance to return punts ever since he lost the job during the
preseason. And on Sunday night against the Cowboys, he could finally get his
shot.</p>

With the Giants thin at cornerback, the rookie wideout is expected to replace
starting CB Aaron Ross (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Aaron+Ross+%28Football%29)
as top punt returner. Jernigan struggled to handle punts in preseason, but he
said that Ross and CB Corey Webster (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Corey+Webster) have
helped him." Read more...
</p>
</div><font size="4"><u>NY POST</u></font>

GIANTS' ROOKIE, TYLER SASH, SET TO START FOR PHILLIPS (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/one_safety_valve_nB1fs9beYRPtLS5f1fhf5N)

"Tomorrow night the Cowboys will again have speedy No. 1 wideout Miles Austin.
They will again have their fullback, Tony Fiammetta. They will be showcasing a
running and passing offense that could be at its peak.<div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: hidden; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none">

And they will be facing a defense that is surely not.</p>

The Giants’ defense has been mostly ineffective the last two weeks — they
were awful against the Saints and just a bit better against the unbeaten
Packers. In tomorrow’s first-place NFC East battle in Dallas, the Giants will be
seeing a healthy Cowboys’ offense, they likely will be missing one of their
secondary’s stalwarts (Kenny Phillips) and they will be relying on two rookie
sixth-round draft picks (safety Tyler Sash and linebacker Jacquian Williams) to
play key roles in key spots.
</p><a href="http://www.nypost.com/blogs/giantsblog" target="_blank">UPDATES FROM
OUR GIANTS BLOG</a><div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: hidden; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none">

</p>

While Austin returns after a four-game absence and Fiammetta after a
three-game hiatus, the Giants defense gets nobody back who was out. The Giants
are missing Osi Umenyiora again, and their linebacking depth has been
compromised, because of injuries to Mark Herzlich and Spencer Paysinger.</p>

“Crazy thing about this league is at some point, you’re going to be called
upon,” defensive end Dave Tollefson said. “No one cares if you haven’t done it
for two months, three months, a year.”</p>

Sash, the Giants’ rookie safety out of Iowa, has played just a handful of
defensive snaps this season. With Phillips almost surely out with a sprained
MCL, though, Sash should see a significant number of snaps.</p>

Not exactly an easy challenge — the Cowboys have an excellent quarterback, a
strong running back, impressive wide receivers and a superb tight end. And the
Giants will be on the road. In a nationally televised game.</p>

“I’m definitely excited,” Sash said. “We’ve got to win this game. There’s no
way around it. It’s Sunday night football. The stage is set. We’ve got to go out
there and just get the job done.”</p>

Though the Giants have had a staggering number of injuries at seemingly every
position other than quarterback, Sash pointed out the safety spot has been
healthy (Phillips, Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant have all played in every game).
</p>

“This is the first time all year that I’ve gotten actual reps during
practice,” he said.</p>

Sash did get to play eight snaps last week once Phillips got hurt, and he
said getting his feet wet helped. Meanwhile, Sash’s fellow sixth-round pick —
Williams — has played far more this season. But the athletic linebacker had some
tough moments against Packers tight end Jermichael Finley last week, and
tomorrow, he will be matched up at times on Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten.</p>

According to Williams, Witten’s biggest strength is probably mental.</p>

“Smart,” Williams said. “He’s a good route runner.”</p>

Nevertheless, fellow linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka said he thinks Williams is
up to the challenge.</p>

“If you just watch his athletic ability, he can pretty much match up with
anybody in the league,” he said.</p>

Tomorrow night there will be times when Williams has to match up with Witten.
</p>

The two rookies could play key roles for the short-handed
defense."
</p></div>RYAN BIG FAN OF MANN' (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/ryan_big_fan_of_mann_R44GFufNDDIfSyvwjaIDNO)

“He really wants to pass the ball every down,” Ryan said of Gilbride, who he
will face tomorrow night when Dallas plays host to Big Blue at Cowboys Stadium.
“They’ve been a great running team before, but if I think he had his choice,
they’d throw every down.”
</p>But if Ryan was seemingly dismissive of Gilbride’s pass-first approach, he
was anything but down on the person who will do the throwing for the Giants in
this crucial NFC East matchup that Ryan labeled a “must-win” for 7-5 Dallas.<div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: hidden; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none">

Ryan agreed with Manning’s description of himself as an elite quarterback,
saying the game film of the Giants’ past two games — though they ended in a
49-24 loss to the Saints and a 38-35 loss to the Packers — gave the Cowboys’
first-year defensive coordinator chills.</p>

“If you watch [the Giants’] tape their last two games, you don’t want to
watch it,” Ryan said. “Eli Manning threw 22 straight completions against the
Saints, then hung up 35 points on the world-champion defense.”</p>

Manning, who is 5-2 against the Cowboys since the 2007 playoffs and has won
his past two trips here, gets Ryan’s vote to be included in the discussion of
the top-five passers in the NFL.</p>

“The guy’s playing excellent,” Ryan said. “He does a great job, has an
unbelievable touch. He’ll stand in there in the face of a damn hurricane and
throw the ball.</p>

“We’ve played some great quarterbacks during the course of the year, and this
guy’s no exception. He’s really playing well, and he’s in that elite group, for
sure.”</p>

To slow down Manning, Ryan will have to out-maneuver Gilbride, his father’s
famous nemesis when they were on the same Houston Oilers staff that day 17 years
ago.</p>

Ryan recalled the punch as “unfortunate” yesterday but said jokingly that
Gilbride got off easy.</p>

“Dad never really landed [the punch],” Ryan said. “I’ve seen him throw a hell
of a lot harder punches than that.”</p></div>DON'T FORGET, HEAT ON THE COWBOYS, TOO (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/pressure_cooker_fTo7MRiN02IuXVE5fsHM1M)

As this game of massive importance has approached, the focus has been fixated
on the Giants and their struggles, their current slide after the promising 6-2
start and their propensity in recent years under Tom Coughlin’s watch to fold in
the second half of seasons.
</p>For all who bleed Giants blue, these are all reasons to be fearful. A Giants
loss, after all, surely would spell doom to their playoff hopes.<div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; COLOR: #000000; OVERFLOW: hidden; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none">

Pressure? Of course there’s immense pressure on the 6-6 Giants.</p>

But you easily can make the argument there’s at least as much — if not more —
pressure that lays at the feet of the 7-5 Cowboys in this game.</p>

A Giants win would put them in first place in the NFC East and make the
Cowboys, who play the Giants in the regular-season finale on Jan. 1 at MetLife
Stadium, have to chase the Giants.</p>

“The season’s on the line,’’ cornerback Corey Webster said yesterday.</p>

“There’s pressure on both teams — given the stakes of this game, given the
intensity of it, given the fact that this game could make or break whoever’s
going to win the division,’’ linebacker Michael Boley said.</p>

Consider the respective mindsets of the two teams entering the biggest game
of the season for both.</p>

The vibe around the Giants this week — you could feel it inside their locker
room yesterday — was remarkably positive for a team that hasn’t won a game in
more than a month. That’s because they came away from Sunday’s 38-35 loss to the
Packers feeling good about themselves because they nearly knocked off the
champions.</p>

Conversely, the Cowboys’ inexcusable 19-13 overtime loss to the lowly
Cardinals last Sunday in a game that featured possibly the worst clock
management this season in the final seconds, not only breathed life into the
Giants’ fading division chances, but it threatens to doom the Cowboys’ playoff
hopes.</p>

Can you imagine the excruciating fallout Coughlin would have been subjected
to around here this week had he made the same egregious misuse of timeouts as
Dallas coach Jason Garrett did?</p>

If you think the Cowboys are entering this game planning a parade to
celebrate an NFC East title, think again. They’re vulnerable. Talented, but
vulnerable, and the Giants, lets not forget, have beaten the Cowboys in Dallas
the last two seasons.</p>

“We’ve got to win the game,’’ Giants defensive end Dave Tollefson said. “If
we lose, we lose a lot more than just a game. We don’t want to leave Dallas
having lost control of what we need to happen. Throughout this four-game losing
streak we’ve always at least still had some sense of control. If we don’t win
this week, we lose all of that control.’’ Read more...
</p></div></div>
[/url]</div></div>

OT Shawn Andrews, who learned last Saturday he had blood clots in his lungs,
spoke about the episode. Andrews felt pain last week (coughing up blood in the
shower last Friday) but resisted going to the hospital, shrugging it off and
believing it was not anything severe. </p>

Finally, during a Giants meeting Saturday, the pain was overwhelming enough
to send Andrews to the hospital, where he learned about the clots. Andrews said
it could have been fatal if he did not seek attention. </p>

He now has to take injections for another two days, followed by further
medication. </p>

“We’ll have an appointment scheduled within two to three months to see if
they’re all gone,” Andrews said. “If not, take no more than six months and it
should be gone.”</p>

Excerpt: "Corey Webster's face lit up as he spoke, becoming almost as bright as the
fluorescent orange sneakers he wore after practice.<div id="storybody">

The Giants cornerback is not worried that his team has lost four in a row or
that yet another second-half collapse could be under way.</p>

But he does know what's at stake Sunday night when the Giants (6-6) travel to
Cowboys Stadium to face Dallas for first place in the NFC East.</p>

"It doesn't get any bigger. Sunday night football. Dallas Cowboys against the
New York Giants," Webster said Friday. "The stakes are high enough.</p>

"We all know what's on the line right here. The season's on the line."</p>

And that's exactly the kind of game Webster wants to be involved in —
especially since the Giants will be about as healthy as they're going to get
heading into the season's final quarter. They face three division games,
including two against Dallas (7-5).</p>

"I. Love. It. This is what you live for," Webster said.</p>

The Giants will have their entire receiving corps, with Mario Manningham
rejoining the team after missing the past two games with a sore and swollen
right knee. He is listed as probable.</p>

It will be just the third game this season that the Giants' top four
receivers – Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Manningham and Ramses Barden – will be on
the field together.</p>

Despite saying last week that surgery was a possibility because there were
bodies "floating" around in his knee, Manningham said "I feel like I'm 100
[percent]." Read more...
</p></div><u><font size="4">THE NEW YORK TIMES</font></u>

Excerpt: "It was Week 12 and the smashmouth New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/) Football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/) Giants were ranked 32nd in running the rock. Say
what?

Well, Week 13 and last minute player scratches shifted an already ailing
offensive line that may have had a hard time opening holes for Darren Sproles.
Enter <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Mitch Petrus" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/mitch-petrus/" rel="tag nofollow">Mitch
Petrus</a> to some pretty heavy rock music, please.</p>

The entrance tunes request is due to my first encounter with #62 on the field
last season. It was the 2010 Detroit at New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/) game in Week 6. He was back near the endzone,
waiting for a kickoff—playing air guitar to AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night
Long.” He was so full of energy that I couldn’t help but notice him and how he
brought something extra out there with him.</p>

Back to the o-line shifting. Most, I’m sure, were nervous about <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with David Diehl" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/david-diehl/" rel="tag nofollow">David
Diehl</a> moving back to LT, <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Kevin Boothe" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/kevin-boothe/" rel="tag nofollow">Kevin
Boothe</a> sliding over more to C and Petrus being inserted as LG for #10, #44
&amp; #27. Little did they realize the spark (read: mean streak) that this would
provide in the trenches—in his very first NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) start, mind you.</p>

Everything happens for a reason and players have to be ready to step up
whenever their number is called…yadda, yadda, yadda.</p>

Petrus obviously was prepared for his. He harnessed his “hypeness” and
focused on the task at hand.</p>

Watch game film and pay close attention to how #62 took care of 1st round NT,
B.J. Raji (no slouch—dude can play). Petrus held him to one solo tackle. Raji
has over 20 pounds on him and a “spin move.” Didn’t matter.</p>

The more time Petrus gets in on the line, the more he will show he’s got that
“Rich Seubert” in him. Just remember I said that…</p>

Interesting game match-up this weekend for Mitch who grew up in Arkansas and
played for the Razorbacks in college. If anyone out there doesn’t know Jerry
Jones’ affection for them (AK Razorbacks) doesn’t know this division. Just
sayin’.</p>

A true test will be going against Dallas’ fast, rushing 3-4, but Diehl will
help and from what Petrus has exhibited on-field — he’s in stance and ready for
his call of duty."</p>GIANTS AT COWBOYS: NFL WEEK 14 GAME PREVIEW (http://www.giants101.com/2011/12/10/new-york-giants-at-dallas-cowboys-nfl-week-14-game-preview/)

"The New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/)
Giants may be coming off of a 38-35 loss to the Green Bay Packers, but the G-Men
are walking with a swagger again, as they took some very positive things out of
the football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/)
game, including the revival of their pass rush and running attack.

The Giants go into Dallas trailing the Cowboys by one game in the NFC East (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfc-east/),
and desperately needing this game to get back in the thick of the NFC playoff
race. The Giants still control their own destiny in the division race – but they
won't if they lose in Dallas, and will instead find themselves faced with a very
difficult uphill climb.</p>

It's by far the biggest game of the season for these Giants, and the result
will play a huge factor in their chances to be playing in mid-January.</p>

GAMEPLAN</p>

Play the safeties closer to the line of scrimmage early to
contain DeMarco Murray</p>

In the past for New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/), the Cowboys weapons in the passing game would
be more of a concern going into a football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/) game in Dallas. This season however, DeMarco
Murray has been the center of this Dallas offense, and a lot of their success
has rested on whether Murray was able to get going.</p>

Over the last seven games, Dallas is 0-2 in the games that Murray has been
held under 100 yards, and 5-0 in games in which he's rushed for 100 or more.
Pretty clear relationship between Murray's success and the Cowboys success.</p>

The Giants need to play physical and play disciplined in the front seven, and
I expect them to drop safeties in the box early in this game to try and limit
and frustrate Murray early. The Cowboys have shown a tendency to get away from
the running game at times if it doesn't go their way. And it's worked against
them when they have.</p>

Use screens, draws, and quick slants early to slow down the
Cowboys pass rushing front seven</p>

We all saw the game Clay Matthews had for the Green Bay Packers last week,
and you don't want to give arguably the best pass rusher in football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/) in
<a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with DeMarcus Ware" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/demarcus-ware/" rel="tag nofollow">DeMarcus
Ware</a> those types of opportunities.</p>

The Cowboys like to bring pressure from different angles, different gaps, and
switch up the looks they give you up front. Ware lines up in a lot of different
positions depending on package, and the Giants have got to find ways to slow him
down. Double teams and running back chips likely won't be enough.</p>

New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/)
should look to take advantage of the Cowboys aggressive approach up front by
getting the football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/)
into <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Ahmad Bradshaw" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/ahmad-bradshaw/" rel="tag nofollow">Ahmad
Bradshaw</a>'s hands out of the backfield, getting him into open space against a
blitz and giving him an opportunity to break big plays that will force Dallas to
be more gun shy. Hakeem Nicks may get some looks on the quick slant against the
blitz as well, and we know #88 has the ability to break that initial tackle and
turn a slant into a huge chunk of yardage.</p>

Put emphasis on taking care of the football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/) on offense</p>

The <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Dallas Cowboys" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/dallas-cowboys/" rel="tag nofollow">Dallas
Cowboys</a> defense is centered on creating havoc, getting after the quarterback
and creating confusion and mistakes. That is the focus of the Dallas defensive
unit.</p>

For the Giants, the focus has to be avoiding playing into their hands. The
Giants do not want to get hasty and frustrated early. This Cowboys defense has
shown a tendency to loosen up in the second half, particularly their pass
defense.New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/)
needs to take care of the football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/), avoiding giving the Cowboys early momentum and
allowing their crowd to get excited off of turnovers in the first half – as it
may be very difficult to recover from.</p>

<a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Tony Romo" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/tony-romo/" rel="tag nofollow">Tony
Romo</a>takes chances with the football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/), and if the Giants can force the Cowboys to make
the first mistake in this game, it will go a long way to them walking out of
Dallas with the win they desperately need.</p>

THE GIANTS WILL WIN THIS GAME IF…</p>

They can keep DeMarcoMurray contained and take care of the football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/) on
offense. Those are the two primary concerns – it's pretty straightforward in
this game. Control the opposing run game, and don't shoot yourself in the foot
on offense. That way, the game comes down to which quarterback can make more
plays in the second half. Tony Romo (http://www.giants101.com/tag/tony-romo/)
has made a habit of taking poorly calculated risks in close football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/)
games in which he hasn't been able to lean on a strong rushing attack on the
early downs. <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Eli Manning" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/eli-manning/" rel="tag nofollow">Eli
Manning</a> is the best late-game quarterback in football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/).</p>

I like Bradshaw's prospects in this game. The Cowboys may not give up many
big runs on the ground, but they do give up 4.2 yards a carry, and Bradshaw had
a focus and intensity about him last week even in limited playing time that told
me that he's ready to will this offense to success along with <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Eli Manning" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/eli-manning/" rel="tag nofollow">Eli
Manning</a> down the stretch. He's a tough, physical runner that refuses to let
up – and he could really set the tone in this football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/) game. Look for #44 to get some opportunities on
some screens and swing passes against this aggressive front as well.</p>

PREDICTION</p>

It's a must-win for the Giants. Can they still somehow make the postseason
with a loss in this game? Sure, but the chances become very slim, and just about
anything and everything will have to break their way in the final three weeks of
the season.</p>

This is it for the Giants. Either their run starts this Sunday, or it's five
straight losses and a ton of uncertainty going forward for Big Blue.</p>

I expect the Giants to lay it all on the line on Sunday night. The defensive
line is a different unit with Pierre-Paul starting and playing more snaps at
defensive end, more explosive both against the run and a pass rushing unit. The
offense shows a lot more toughness with <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Ahmad Bradshaw" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/ahmad-bradshaw/" rel="tag nofollow">Ahmad
Bradshaw</a> in the backfield, and I expect both of these guys to play a huge
role for the Giants not just in this game, but throughout their run over the
next four weeks.</p>

I see the Giants coming out and playing physical, inspired football (http://www.giants101.com/tag/football/)
and bringing everything they've got to the Cowboys.</p>

Excerpt: "The New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/)
Giants are more well-known for drafting defense. No doubt. Once in a while,
though, an offensive gem falls their way: Phil Simms, Joe Morris, Mark Bavaro,
Amani Toomer, Tiki Barber, Eli Manning…and most recently, Hakeem Nicks.

Then, there’s times when an undrafted free agent from the “mean streets” of
Paterson, NJ ends up being an all-out Big Blue phenom.</p>

<a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Victor Cruz" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/victor-cruz/" rel="tag nofollow">Victor
Cruz</a> went to Paterson Catholic High School where he played for the Cougars
-as WR and DB- and recorded 19 touchdowns in his senior year there (they went
undefeated). Since last year, I’ve spoken to local kids that went to rival
schools in Lodi (Rams) and Saddle Brook (Falcons). All comments and memories
seem to be similar: “that kid was fast,” “man, he burned our DB’s,” “he was hard
to cover,” “we all knew he would go on to be something, but wow”… Some even said
he was a quiet, but really, super nice guy. For those of you that aren’t
familiar with the local area of Paterson, in Passaic County, NJ—do some research
on it. This last tidbit is a compliment to Cruz’ character.</p>

From Paterson, Cruz went up to Brighton Academy in Maine for a post-graduate
semester, then to U Mass where he didn’t start until his Junior year, but
amassed 131 catches (4th all-time in team history), had 1,958 yards (5th in team
history behind former NY Giant, Brandon London) and 11 touchdowns.</p>

Fast forward to 2010’s NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) Draft. No draft day story to tell for <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Victor Cruz" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/victor-cruz/" rel="tag nofollow">Victor
Cruz</a>. The now 25 year-old went undrafted. Not much was heard about him,
except in local Jersey papers when the Giants signed him. Until August 16, 2010
and a pre-season game vs. New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/) Jets. Three insanely convincing touchdowns, 145
yards and burning speed. All of a sudden, Cruz was the topic around the water
cooler. For weeks.</p>

Needless to say, he made the 53-man roster, but in very Giants-like luck, was
placed on IR after only three weeks into the season with a hamstring injury.</p>

2011: Fast forward again, but this time through the fun that was the NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) Lockout,
“training camp” and pre-season. Cruz begins the season listed on the depth chart
as the #4 wideout behind Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham and Domenik Hixon.
However, through injuries (shocker), #80 quietly stepped up and confidently grew
with his quarterback. He remains focused and poised, yet hungry for more. <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Victor Cruz" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/victor-cruz/" rel="tag nofollow">Victor
Cruz</a> (through NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) Week 13) is
#4 again—in receiving yards in the league. 62 receptions for 1,076 yards and
seven TDs with four more games to be played.</p>

So much for the folks who claimed the pre-season Jets game was a one-time
thing and “just meaningless pre-season highlights.” Hope they’re all watching
his route-running, his sideline footwork, and his concentration in the huddle.
There’s probably one more source for intangible information on <a class="st_tag internal_tag" title="Posts tagged with Victor Cruz" href="http://www.giants101.com/tag/victor-cruz/" rel="tag nofollow">Victor
Cruz</a>, but he may not want to tell you.</p>

Excerpt: "Good morning, New York Giants (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-giants)
fans! I have been scouring the Inter-Google -- and my e-mail -- for
Giants-related stories of interest for you today. Follow the jump to see what I
have for you today.
<p class="extend-divide"><a name="storyjump"></a>http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg</p>

Here is Giants offensive lineman Stacy Andrews (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2557/stacy-andrews)
describing the pain that finally led him to the Giants training staff, and to
the diagnosis of blood clots in both lungs.</p>

"At first it was just a little pain in [my chest] and then my backside, the
rib area. I thought I had just popped a rib or something like that so I just
brushed it off. I was like, ‘I'll get a massage, pop it back in Friday.' So I
just practiced through the pain Friday, which was a lot of pain when I was
running around on the field. I went out and got in the shower, I coughed up
blood twice. I still put it off, ‘It's just a rib.' Saturday came, I was feeling
pretty good, feeling alright. I got into the meeting on Saturday. I was just
sitting there listening to the coaches talk and give their presentations and
[the pain] started intensifying. I was like, ‘Something can't be right.' I have
a high tolerance for pain. That was a pain I couldn't brush off so I guess it
was the man above saying, ‘Listen, this is something serious.' So I went and
told Leigh (Weiss) and he called Ronnie (Barnes) over and they were like, ‘We're
going to get you [to the hospital] and see what's going on,' " Andrews said.</p>

All I can say is thank goodness the man is going to be OK.</p>

Giants coach Tom Coughlin has always had a mantas of 'Talk is cheap,
play the game.' From Monday thru Saturday, though, players can't help but talk.
They have radio appearances all over the place and beat reporters looking
comment every day. Here are a couple of comments from Giants players that we
have not used yet this week.</p>

"The whole losing streak thing, that's something for the papers," said
linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2229/mathias-kiwanuka">Mathias
Kiwanuka</a>. "For us in the locker room, we're more focused on the fact that
all of our goals are still attainable. We still have the opportunity to win
games, win games in our division and win our division, go into the playoffs and
win the Super Bowl. That's all we're focused on."

"I agree with (Antrel Rolle (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1769/antrel-rolle)),"
wide receiver Victor Cruz (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/109584/victor-cruz)
said. "I think the way we played this past Sunday, although we lost, was
definitely one of the most exciting ways we've played, most aggressive, we put
it all together, on special teams, on defense. I definitely see us winning these
last four and getting into the playoffs."</p>

GIANTS' SEASON ON LINE VS. COWBOYS (http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7336477/new-york-giants-face-hated-cowboys-twice-next-four-weeks-playoffs-line)

Excerpt: "When the <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyg/new-york-giants">New
York Giants</a>' schedule first came out, Justin Tuck (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8488/justin-tuck) figured the two games against the Dallas Cowboys (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys)
in the final month of the season were going to be huge.

He just didn't think they would matter like this. The Giants (6-6) can win
the NFC East and end a two-year playoff drought with two wins over the Cowboys
(7-5) and either a win over the <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/wsh/washington-redskins">Washington
Redskins</a> or the New York Jets (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyj/new-york-jets) in
the final four games.</p>

Tuck has to love that the NFC East crown will come down to beating Dallas.
The defensive end despises the Cowboys, the star on their helmets and just about
everything else that goes with the franchise.</p>

"That will never change," Tuck said after signing autographs at a charity toy
drive with teammates at Garden State Plaza on Monday. "I just don't like the
fact that everybody calls them 'America's team.'"</p>

Tuck hopes that his teammates feel the same way about Dallas. In some ways,
the Giants-Cowboys rivalry will be recharged after taking a bit of a backseat to
the Giants' border war with Philadelphia in recent years.</p>

Now Giants-Cowboys is back on the prime-time stage with everything at stake.
And the Giants say they must bring that same kind of hate, passion and energy
they carried into Eagles games in recent years into these final two meetings
with Dallas. </p>

"It better be [the same]," safety Antrel Rolle (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8423/antrel-rolle) said. "They are in our division, they
stand in the way of what are trying to get to. We are trying to bring more to
them than we brought to Philly."</p>

The Giants have had the upper hand against Dallas recently, winning five of
the last seven meetings, including their playoff game during the 2007 season.
They have taken three of the last four in Dallas and have not lost in the new
Cowboys Stadium since it opened in 2009. </p>

The Giants may even have a mental hold over the Cowboys, judging by some of
the comments emerging from Dallas. Cornerback Mike Jenkins (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/11259/mike-jenkins) called Brandon Jacobs (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8524/brandon-jacobs) "a bully," and linebacker DeMarcus Ware (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/8426/demarcus-ware) talked about the Cowboys having to
regain their manhood against New York.</p>

"I hate anytime that we play them," Ware told Dallas reporters on Wednesday.
"It's just not the Giants, because guess what, the team is trying to come in
here and take your manhood. So it don't matter who you're playing. It's sort of
like a battle, gladiator against gladiator, who wants it the most."</p>

When asked whether the Cowboys can get their manhood back against the Giants,
Ware said, "We've got to figure out how to get that back."</p>

Jacobs almost sounded astounded when told of the manhood comment.</p>

"They need to get their manhood back?" Jacobs asked. "[If they] felt like
they lost it, I don't know what to say about that. I never felt like I lost my
manhood. I don't care if we lose 16 straight, I am going to have my manhood.
[Ware] is a great player that we really have to play extra attention to. If he
felt like he don't have it, I hope he ain't got it this week."</p>

Despite carrying a four-game losing streak into Dallas, the Giants feel as if
they regained a good portion of their mojo back after playing undefeated Green
Bay down to the final seconds of a 38-35 loss

Captain Chaos

12-10-2011, 10:00 AM

Thanks Roanoke!

GameTime

12-10-2011, 10:06 AM

Jernigan to return punts??.....hope he has his **** together!!!!</P>

thanks for the reads</P>

RoanokeFan

12-10-2011, 10:34 AM

Thanks Roanoke!

[B]

RoanokeFan

12-10-2011, 10:35 AM

Jernigan to return punts??.....hope he has his **** together!!!!</p>

thanks for the reads</p>

Every time he goes back there I cringe lol

Hopefully he's learning from Ross and Webster "CATCH THE BALL" and then whatever happens lol

BigBlue1971

12-10-2011, 06:35 PM

many thanks Roanoke!</P>

the Giants have a great opportunity to take over 1st in the nfce.</P>

i hope they can take the boys spirit away before they reach the 2nd qtr.</P>

</P>

<FONT color=#0000ff size=5>Go Giants!</FONT></P>

britishblue2

12-10-2011, 07:36 PM

Usual Kudos Roa ;)

Youre work is willing, tireless, relentless and not self serving .... we could all take a leaf from you're book buddy.

Go Giants !!

RoanokeFan

12-10-2011, 07:45 PM

many thanks Roanoke!</p>

the Giants have a great opportunity to take over 1st in the nfce.</p>

i hope they can take the boys spirit away before they reach the 2nd qtr.</p>

</p>

<font color="#0000ff" size="5">Go Giants!</font></p>

[Y]

RoanokeFan

12-10-2011, 07:46 PM

Usual Kudos Roa ;)

Youre work is willing, tireless, relentless and not self serving .... we could all take a leaf from you're book buddy.

Go Giants !!

[B] [B]

G-Men Surg.

12-11-2011, 02:54 AM

Thanks RF !

RoanokeFan

12-11-2011, 09:32 AM

Thanks RF !

[B]

jomo

12-11-2011, 09:38 AM

Awesome compilation RF. I am now fully prepped to go hammer away at the heavy bag, just to blow off all this extra energy......can't wait for this one to get underway. Go RF, Go Blue!

RoanokeFan

12-11-2011, 10:55 AM

Awesome compilation RF. I am now fully prepped to go hammer away at the heavy bag, just to blow off all this extra energy......can't wait for this one to get underway. Go RF, Go Blue!

[Y] save some of the energy for the hootin' and hollerin' as we take over 1st place!!